Senator Stanley Honored for Work on Oklahoma Health Policy

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, has been named the Health Innovator of the Year by the Rural Health Association of Oklahoma in recognition of her work advancing health policies to improve care for Oklahomans.

One of the measures recognized as part of Senator Stanley’s award was Senate Bill 1565. Authored during the 2026 legislative session, it established a pathway for the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to receive federal grant funding through the Transforming Maternal Health Model, a federal initiative designed to improve care for women before, during and after pregnancy.

“This recognition is meaningful to me because it reflects the impact our work can have on the lives of Oklahomans,” Senator Stanley said. “Whether we’re improving maternal health, expanding access to care in rural communities or finding better ways to use available resources, our goal should always be to improve health outcomes for the people we serve. Senate Bill 1565 is a pro-life measure and is a great example of what we can accomplish when we work together to find practical solutions that benefit Oklahoma families."

“I’m grateful to the Rural Health Association of Oklahoma for this honor, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, but our work is far from finished. I look forward to continuing our efforts to find additional ways to improve health outcomes for Oklahomans across our state.”

Governor Kevin Stitt signed the measure into law on May 6, and it took effect July 1. Oklahoma is one of 14 states selected to participate in the federal Transforming Maternal Health Model.

More than 1.3 million Oklahomans live in rural communities, making access to quality health care a critical issue across much of the state.

Senator Stanely serves as vice chair of the Oklahoma Senate Health and Human Services Committee.